Boalsburg woman sues CPI after alleged indecent assault by instructor at school
A Boalsburg woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, alleging the school failed to take action against an instructor who she said indecently assaulted her in a classroom.
The woman was penalized for reporting the instructor, the lawsuit claims, and suffered financial losses and missed out on academic and professional opportunities.
She said in the lawsuit that she warned school administrators about instructor Jerome F. Kinney’s “predatory behavior” days before he allegedly grabbed her upper thigh and chest in front of other students.
Attempts to reach Kinney, who is listed as a defendant alongside the school, were unsuccessful Tuesday. It did not appear as though he has been charged with a crime. Messages left with Spring Township police were not returned.
Solicitor Scott Etter told the CDT that Kinney has not been an employee since “early in the school year.” He and school President MaryAnn Volders declined further comment.
The woman said in the lawsuit that multiple students witnessed the alleged assault, which she said left her shocked, frightened and traumatized. Her attorney said she was later removed from Kinney’s class after reporting the allegation.
According to the suit, CPI declined to refund her tuition for the semester and she had to wait to reenroll.
“CPI’s retaliatory actions compounded Plaintiff’s trauma by conveying that reporting sexual misconduct would result in punishment rather than protection,” attorney Edwin Leon wrote.
The seven-count lawsuit includes claims of assault and battery, negligence, sex discrimination and retaliation. She’s seeking more than $1.5 million on each claim.